MercyOne Siouxland’s Director of Cardiology and Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo has patients from all over the United States seeking his surgical talents.

Dr. Ciuffo performed heart surgery on a Jehovah’s Witness patient who traveled from Naples, Fl. for his care in the month of June.

Dr. Ciuffo is offering patients a minimally invasive heart surgery option. He is able to make a small incision between the ribs to get a look at the heart and is able perform the procedure without breaking the breastbone. The process allows for a quicker recovery for the patient, minimal pain and often no need for a transfusion.

This bloodless surgical option appeals to the Jehovah’s Witness community, who seek out physicians and surgeons who understand the need for their members to not share blood. The religious community appreciates Dr. Ciuffo’s 20 years of experience performing the bloodless heart surgery and are eager to send heart patients that are unable to find the care they are searching for in their local communities to MercyOne Siouxland.

The MercyOne Siouxland Heart and Vascular Center performed 22 heart surgeries in May and 21 in June. The highest numbers since April, 2008.